A comfortable contoured waistband keeps pants securely in place. Reflective material is visible from all angles, and is especially eye catching when in motion. 13” long ankle zippers make on and off over shoes a breeze, while scuff guards at the inner ankles protect against wear from chain and crank or trail running shoes. 2 zippered hip pockets provide room for essentials.

360 degrees of reflective material for better visibility while in motion

2 zippered hip pockets

Contoured waistband with draw cord

Scuff guard at inner ankle to protect against chain and crank and or trail running shoes

Articulated knees

Longer inseam for better coverage while in motion

13” ankle zipper for easy on off over shoes

Choosing the best waterproof rain pants for cycling doesn't have to be difficult. Read this guide to find out which type of rain pants will work the best for your needs and budget.

As leaders in technical cycling outerwear, Showers Pass offers a variety of waterproof cycling pants utilizing different fabrics and features for different intended uses. The price range you see among waterproof rain pants does not just relate to the level of waterproofness. It also relates to breathability and special features like vents, zippers, pockets, and reflective trims.

Not every cyclist needs a carbon fiber race bike, and not every cyclist wants to spend as much on rain pants as they do on their bike. We believe our line of waterproof outerwear offers the best-in-class fabrics and features at every price level.

The quality and performance of any type of rain gear can be measured on the following criteria:

How waterproof are the rain pants? Is the fabric waterproof and are all the seams sealed?

How breathable are the rain pants? This determines whether or not you a likely to start sweating while wearing the waterproof garment.

How durable are the rain pants? How many years of use will you get out of them? Take this aspect into account when you are shopping on a budget.

How lightweight or packable are the rain pants? The weight of waterproof outerwear is important to some but not all. People often incorrectly associate light weight with breathability. Our lightest weight rain pants (Storm Pants) are our least breathable pant. Typically, reduced weight on a rain pant means reduced durability.

How visible or reflective are the rain pants? High visibility, especially while cycling in the rain and/or at night, can help to keep you safe by making you more visible to motorists and all road users.

3-Layer Hardshell Pants

Fabric Type

Breathable Rating

Waterproof Rating

Seam Taped

Visibility Rating

Weight

Fit Style

Refuge Pants

Elite 3-Layer

5-Star

5-Star

Yes

5-Star

13.7 oz

Regular

Club Convertible 2 Pants

Artex 3-Layer

4-star

4-star

Yes

4-star

14.7 oz

Full

Club Visible Pants

Artex 3-Layer

4-star

4-star

Yes

5-Star

12.7 oz

Full

Transit Pants

Artex 3-Layer

4-star

4-star

Yes

4-star

11.3 oz

Trim

2-Layer Hardshell Pants

Fabric Type

Breathable Rating

Waterproof Rating

Seam Taped

Visibility Rating

Weight

Fit Style

Storm Pants

2-layer

1-star

4-star

Yes

2-star

7.5 oz

Trim

Softshell Pants

Fabric Type

Breathable Rating

Waterproof Rating

Seam Taped

Visibility Rating

Weight

Fit Style

Skyline Pants

Elite 3-Layer

High

2-star

Some (not waterproof)

4-star

13.7oz

Trim

Rogue Pants

Nylon & Spandex

High

1-star

No

3-star

17.3 oz

Regular

Track Pants

Polyester, Spandex & Nylon

High

0

No

3-star

15.3 oz

Trim

Ratings Scale Explained

Breathable Scale

1 STAR fabrics rate at least 1,000g/m2/day. Great for pre-race warm-ups or unexpected cloud bursts, but not recommended for long fast paced rides or warmer conditions.

2 STAR fabrics rate at least 5,000g/m2/day. This provides some moisture vapor transfer, but if you’re riding hard enough to sweat, especially in cold and rainy conditions, you will probably see some condensation on the inside of the garment.

3 STAR fabrics rate at least 10,000g/m2/day, and the garments have some venting capability. Most people can stay comfortable in these garments, especially if they take advantage of venting capabilities like pit or core vents, 2-way front zippers, or open cuﬀs.

4 STAR fabrics rate at least 10,000g/m2/day, might have wicking linings, and the garments have multiple venting options. Wicking linings aid in the eﬃciency of moisture vapor transfer, and provide a drier next-to-skin feel. Venting options like pit or core vents, 2-way front zippers, or open cuﬀs allow you to adjust airﬂow.

5 STAR, Industry leading breathability here. At least 15,000g/m2/day, wicking linings, and multiple venting options. For high output activities in varying conditions, this is the way to go!

Waterproof Scale

1 STAR garments will at least be treated with a Durable Water Repellant (DWR) ﬁnish and/or have a tight weave and design that will provide some water repellency. Great for short rides in light/intermittent precipitation.

2 STAR garments will use fabrics rated 3,000mm-10,000mm or even higher, but might have strategic panels of non-waterproof fabric, or unsealed seams. Generally designed to be waterproof in the areas where you’re most likely to get hit by raindrops and road spray, but not designed to keep you completely dry in a downpour.

3 STAR garments use only fabrics rated at least 10,000mm, but might not be entirely seam sealed. These will keep you dry in most conditions, but you might see localized areas of leakage in extended downpours.

4 STAR garments will use only fabrics rated 3,000-15,000mm, and have taped or welded seams. Bring on the rain, snow, wind, sleet, hail, drizzle, fog, and mud. If all your vents, zippers, cuﬀs and collar are sealed, these garments should keep the elements out for most rides.

5 STAR garments will have fabrics rated at least 15,000mm, and have taped or welded seams. If you’re going to be out in nasty weather for extended periods of time, these are the garments for you! Just make sure to seal all your vents, zippers, cuﬀs and collar before stepping out into a downpour.

Appropriate Washing + A Little TLC = Rain Gear Long Life

Our products are of the highest quality available on the market, but failure to properly care for even the best outerwear can cause it to die an untimely death. Here are some tips to prolonging the life of your waterproof outerwear.

Wash your gear! Pollutants like dirt, sweat, road grime, and sunscreen can gunk up zippers (causing them to stick or break), and cause waterproof membranes to deteriorate. We generally recommend that daily commuters wash their jackets once a month or so. Machine wash on the gentle cycle, with COLD water and hang dry. We recommend using liquid detergent, because powders can leave a residue if they do not dissolve completely. Avoid products with fabric softeners or bleach. Nikwax Tech Wash works great for our gear.

Do not expose to excessive heat. Seam tape can fall apart in a dryer, and it is not a pretty sight. Excessive heat (even a car dashboard in the summer) can also cause multi-layered waterproof fabrics to delaminate.

Store with care. Just because a garment can stuff into its own pocket or stuff sack does not mean it wants to live that way all the time. Hang it up or lay it flat between uses; and make sure it dries completely.

Be kind to your zippers. We sometimes use 2-way zippers for venting, and water-resistant zippers to keep you extra dry. Both of these features can make the zippers harder to operate. Please be gentle with them. In our experience, yanking on them repeatedly will only make them angry. For the occasional extra-sticky spot, we’ve found that regular pencil graphite rubbed on the zipper’s teeth is a good lubricant. (Just don’t wear it over a white shirt that day!)

Spot treat stains. If you have a really tough stain, spot cleaning with liquid dish detergent can help. Never use bleach or harsh chemicals to clean your jacket. To protect the interior of a jacket from stains, be sure to wash new shirts, jerseys and arm warmers before wearing them underneath your jacket to prevent colors from depositing onto the lining.

Perk up your DWR. The DWR (Durable Water Repellant) finish on the outside of a fabric is what makes the water bead and roll off. Over time it will begin to wear or wash off. Don’t despair. Look for spray-on treatments made for waterproof-breathable fabrics like NikWax TX Direct Spray on Treatment to perk up the DWR. This maximizes the ability of the waterproof-breathable membrane inside the fabric to do its job

FAQs

Should I put my Showers Pass gear in the dryer?

We do not recommend machine drying gear. Excess heat can damage the fabrics and seam tape on waterproof outerwear, and reflective detailing on socks will lasts longer when line dried. Air drying is also the more environmentally friendly option.

What detergent should I use?

Choose a liquid detergent and avoid products with fabric softeners or bleach. Nikwax Tech Wash works great for our gear.

Specific Questions?

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When to expect your order US

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